Downtown Embassy Receiving a $10 Million Facelift

Downtown Embassy Receiving a $10 Million Facelift

An iconic piece of history in Downtown Fort Wayne is getting a major renovation to the tune of $10 million dollars.

An iconic piece of history in Downtown Fort Wayne is getting a major renovation to the tune of $10 million dollars.

The Fort Wayne Embassy Theatre was almost torn down in the 70's and is now one of the top 100 theaters across the world in ticket sales.

WFFT's Brooke Welch brings us an inside look at the changes.

"I'm pinching myself that this is a historic day for the Embassy and the community because we are doing what many people have tried for 40 years to do."

Executive Director Kelly Updike is excited they've started demolition on the floors above the theater that were once the former Indiana Hotel.

"It's amazing to me how much people love the Embassy. They helped save it in the early 1970's and they create memories here. When we went asking for money, $10 million dollars worth of money, people really stepped forward and gave generously."

What is the finished project going to look like?

On the 6th floor, they are actually going to remove the ceiling and turn it into a two story ballroom for events and weddings.

The 4th floor will be turned into classrooms and offices and there will even be a beautiful rooftop garden.

Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry says this will attract more people to downtown.

"This is the beginning. It's going to be an absolutely beautiful building when they get done. It's going to take awhile to get it built but it's really going to add to the importance of Downtown Fort Wayne and what we can do."

"We are part of downtown and revitalization going on and that was a strong window of opportunity for us so we looked to that and the greater economic development that we could bring to this community to bring more people downtown."

The project is expected to be completed at the end of 2015.

The fund still has $2.7 million dollars left to raise. If you would like to donate, you can click the link here for more information.

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